LHC told to stop judicial complex construction in Kalar Kahar

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has asked the Chief Justice Lahore High Court to stop further construction at Judicial Complex in the land forming part of Bagh-i-Safa, Kalar Kahar.

In a letter addressed to registrar, Lahore High Court, the registrar, Supreme Court, has sought complete details of the project and requisite approvals, including of the building committee/administrative committee on the directives of Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa. The registrar, Supreme Court, in his letter dated November 6, 2023, a copy of which is available to The News, stated that it had been reported in Dawn dated November 05, 2023 that a judicial complex was being constructed in the land forming part of the Bagh-i-Safa, Kallar Kahar.

“The Chief Justice of Pakistan has directed me to inquire whether the news report is factually correct,” read the letter, adding if so, “Why is the land of an ancient park being converted and what happened to the 80 kanal land in Kallar Kahar earlier transferred to the Lahore High Court?”

The letter further stated, “Please request the Chief Justice (LHC) that it may be appropriate to stop further work till the provision of the requested information,” adding the Chief Justice of Pakistan has sought an immediate response.

It is pertinent to mention here that “The News” has also earlier reported about transfer of 100-year old high school in Jhika Gali, Muree to the judiciary for construction of a judicial complex. However, after the publication of the said report by Ansar Abbasi in The News, the transfer of that school to the judiciary for construction of a judicial complex was halted on the direction of Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi.